Pastor Sues NY Over Gun Ban, Warns of Second Amendment Crackdown

A pastor is suing New York State over a law prohibiting firearms at houses of worship, warning the provisions put his church at risk and hamper Second Amendment rights. Pastor Micheal Spencer, pastor of His Tabernacle Family Church, a Christian church in Horseheads, New York, argues the law unconstitutionally restricts churches’ Second Amendment rights, while still allowing businesses to decide for themselves whether a firearm is allowed on their property. Spencer is hoping to see a court overturn these gun regulations, citing his church’s security ministry no longer being able to carry weapons to protect the property. Past threats and concerns have left the preacher and his church feeling vulnerable. “One of the challenges that we have is that we’re on television now. If you’re a church that’s not on television, then you’re not widely open to the community,“ Spencer said, noting the large size and scopt of his church. “When somebody has — whether it be a psycholo